Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

[e6i3i]

[TonerMunkeh]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

Time for a new maintenance unit - B2292012. If that doesn't fix it, new engine unit - B2290101

[e6i3i]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

Hi,

Thank you for your reply and your help.

Regarding the maintenance unit, I've unmounted, cleaned & checked it, it seems to work well.
The problem with waste ink was about the trap between the maintenance unit & the waste ink tank which was just partially open since the last maintenance arround this zone... some ink was collected on this trap (there is a patch for that), but after some time it goes out.

I've fixed the problem with the trap, now this is working as expected; so I do not think we need to replace the maintenance unit.

About the engine, we do not think to replace it, it's too expansive for this generation of MFP.

But regarding the print quality, it is fine, printheads are clean & work well.
We also do not encounter any paper jam, that's why I do not really think we are facing a mechaniical problem.

I've also checked / cleaned the photo sensor on the printhead, I have though it was in cause, linked with the detection of the end of the paper.
I didnt see anything on the sensor (ink or dust...), it seems to works well, but I dont really know how to be sure (except by a replacement...)


I've found a really old post on a french forum (2008) about this problem, on this model, but without any answer or solution


I really appreciate any help you can provide.
Cheers

[Batman1976]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

1. Pick a window!! (Preferably from a high floor)
2. Push the device out of choosen window
3. Watch and cheer as the machine hits the flooR!!!!

[e6i3i]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

Hi,

I've managed to swap the photo sensor on the printhead (2nd registration sensor) with the one on the rear waste ink tank to check if this could help (this is exactly the same : PN 1403 1301, but not detailed for the waste ink tank).
The problem is exactly the same on A3 SEF prints.

I've done a try in B&W mode, to check how it is (I didnt try it before) : the problem is here.
We can see the white line at the end of the paper, but there no double print on the last part (as we see in color mode).
I attach a scan of this test for info.

Previously the problem was also present on A4 SEF prints, but not on A4 LEF prints.
It has been solved on A4 prints, but I do not really understand why... I do not think this is a mechanical problem, I think it's sensor related.

The only think I didnt dismount is the paper entry/registration : I've only done a little cleaning on it.
Do you think it could be linked with the problem ?


If anybody have any clue about that, I'm interested in

Just for info, to complete this topic :
- there is not any SC on the copier
- printhead are clean & work totally well (checked multiple time)
- there is no paper jam (this is really rare)
- tried on multiple paper type (A3 & A4)


I really appreciate any help you can provide.
Cheers

[e6i3i]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

Hi again,

for info, re-tested also with the 1-sheet tray, in A3 SEF : the problem is still present (that's why I didnt spent too much time on the paper entry...)

Cheers

[luca72]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

Hi,

I've managed to swap the photo sensor on the printhead (2nd registration sensor) with the one on the rear waste ink tank to check if this could help (this is exactly the same : PN 1403 1301, but not detailed for the waste ink tank).
The problem is exactly the same on A3 SEF prints.

I've done a try in B&W mode, to check how it is (I didnt try it before) : the problem is here.
We can see the white line at the end of the paper, but there no double print on the last part (as we see in color mode).
I attach a scan of this test for info.

Previously the problem was also present on A4 SEF prints, but not on A4 LEF prints.
It has been solved on A4 prints, but I do not really understand why... I do not think this is a mechanical problem, I think it's sensor related.

The only think I didnt dismount is the paper entry/registration : I've only done a little cleaning on it.
Do you think it could be linked with the problem ?




If anybody have any clue about that, I'm interested in

Just for info, to complete this topic :
- there is not any SC on the copier
- printhead are clean & work totally well (checked multiple time)
- there is no paper jam (this is really rare)
- tried on multiple paper type (A3 & A4)


I really appreciate any help you can provide.
Cheers

I didn't understand, is it a print? or a photocopy?
if it's a photocopy, try reducing the zoom to 50% to see if it also reduces the white lines... just to narrow down the suspects

[slimslob]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

You have a machine that was introduced over 17 years ago. The paper is advancing too far near the end of the sheet, probably when or just after the trail edge leaves the last set of rollers before the transport belt. Your best bet is to buy a new MFP.

[e6i3i]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

I didn't understand, is it a print? or a photocopy?
if it's a photocopy, try reducing the zoom to 50% to see if it also reduces the white lines... just to narrow down the suspects

Hi Luca72,

Thank you for your reply : the problem occurs during copy or printing !
If we do not print/copy on the last of the paper, there is no problem (tested for both printing & reduced copy.

That's why I'm thinking about a sensor problem during the end of the process (exit of the paper, 2nd registration...), but I didn't find anything wrong about that.

The problem was also occuring during A4 SEF/landscape print/copy since few weeks (it was good before as far as I know), that's the reason I have investigated & revised this MFP.
The problem is now solved with A4 SEF print/copy, but I didnt fix anything specially... I've just done some checks & cleaning... and actually I can't really what was involved in that problem (not done enough tests during each steps...)

Cheers

[e6i3i]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

You have a machine that was introduced over 17 years ago. The paper is advancing too far near the end of the sheet, probably when or just after the trail edge leaves the last set of rollers before the transport belt. Your best bet is to buy a new MFP.

Hi Slimslob,

Thank you for your reply.
I know well that's this MFP is really old now, it was installed in 2008, and it count less than 90 000 copies. It is used by an association which has not in plan to replace it soon, as they have some new cartriges in stock.
I also know that the reputation of this model is really bad, but for this one, the printing is still really good, regarding the quality & density, etc. It's still useful, except for A3 printing actually.


The info about the speed is interesting, that was also in my mind, but I do not really now how to fix the speed at the end of the process. May be there is a SP for that, but I didnt see something about that in the SM.
Plus, the speed seems good for A4 (LEF & now SEF), the problem is only occuring in A3, for copy/printing, and only on the really last part of the paper.
If we do not print on that part, or do reduced copy, etc, there is no problem.

I will have a look to the paper entrance, and check if there is dust or waste ink somewhere after disasembly, but actually it seems good in this part of the MFP.
For info, I've double checked again, and the problem occurs also when I use the 1-sheet tray (which avoid a big part of paper entrance).

I didnt disasemble the transport belt, because it seemed good when I have extracted the engine, I've only wiped it & removed few dust. If you think the problem could come from here, from a sensor I didnt think about, let me know.

There is still no SC on this MFP. I dont know if there is a specific test/SP/pattern we can try on A3... I didnt find something about that in the SM.

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

Cheers

PS :
Just for info, years ago I've faced a problem with the hard disk on this machine, I have done a full reset, but I have then re-applied all the factory settings (the backup of the non default settings), trough all appropriate SP.
At this time, I didnt checked A3 printing, but users confirmed that they have printed some A3 papers without problem after that, for years.
I've checked those settings with the factory sheet, and I didnt find something relevant.

[slimslob]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

Hi Slimslob,

Thank you for your reply.
I know well that's this MFP is really old now, it was installed in 2008, and it count less than 90 000 copies. It is used by an association which has not in plan to replace it soon, as they have some new cartriges in stock.
I also know that the reputation of this model is really bad, but for this one, the printing is still really good, regarding the quality & density, etc. It's still useful, except for A3 printing actually.


The info about the speed is interesting, that was also in my mind, but I do not really now how to fix the speed at the end of the process. May be there is a SP for that, but I didnt see something about that in the SM.
Plus, the speed seems good for A4 (LEF & now SEF), the problem is only occuring in A3, for copy/printing, and only on the really last part of the paper.
If we do not print on that part, or do reduced copy, etc, there is no problem.

I will have a look to the paper entrance, and check if there is dust or waste ink somewhere after disasembly, but actually it seems good in this part of the MFP.
For info, I've double checked again, and the problem occurs also when I use the 1-sheet tray (which avoid a big part of paper entrance).

I didnt disasemble the transport belt, because it seemed good when I have extracted the engine, I've only wiped it & removed few dust. If you think the problem could come from here, from a sensor I didnt think about, let me know.

There is still no SC on this MFP. I dont know if there is a specific test/SP/pattern we can try on A3... I didnt find something about that in the SM.

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

Cheers

PS :
Just for info, years ago I've faced a problem with the hard disk on this machine, I have done a full reset, but I have then re-applied all the factory settings (the backup of the non default settings), trough all appropriate SP.
At this time, I didnt checked A3 printing, but users confirmed that they have printed some A3 papers without problem after that, for years.
I've checked those settings with the factory sheet, and I didnt find something relevant.

Although 90K is only 60% of the 150K recommended replacement cycle for the transport belt, 15 years is way over the intended life. At the target placement that would normally be expected to be reached in 6 to18 months. Also those recommended PM intervals are based on A4 LEF. One sheet of A3 is double the amount of print engine wear as a sheet of A4 LEF.The entire mechanical system is by now totally worn out by age if not by anything else.

[luca72]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

Hi Luca72,

Thank you for your reply : the problem occurs during copy or printing !
If we do not print/copy on the last of the paper, there is no problem (tested for both printing & reduced copy.

That's why I'm thinking about a sensor problem during the end of the process (exit of the paper, 2nd registration...), but I didn't find anything wrong about that.

The problem was also occuring during A4 SEF/landscape print/copy since few weeks (it was good before as far as I know), that's the reason I have investigated & revised this MFP.
The problem is now solved with A4 SEF print/copy, but I didnt fix anything specially... I've just done some checks & cleaning... and actually I can't really what was involved in that problem (not done enough tests during each steps...)

Cheers

if it were a problem with the paper, or with its passage, the image would have to be compressed, (classic clutch problem) not stretched with voids.
it's a problem that involves all the drums, try to make an extremely dark copy, and skillfully make the machine stop by opening the front panel, pull down the ITB, and check if that portion of the image is also missing.


However, I would start by removing the metal curtains of the laser, maybe they make some mess

[slimslob]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

if it were a problem with the paper, or with its passage, the image would have to be compressed, (classic clutch problem) not stretched with voids.
it's a problem that involves all the drums, try to make an extremely dark copy, and skillfully make the machine stop by opening the front panel, pull down the ITB, and check if that portion of the image is also missing.


However, I would start by removing the metal curtains of the laser, maybe they make some mess

FYI the MP C1500 is an inkjet print engine.

[e6i3i]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

Hi,

Thanks for your help.

I have done some checks again on the copier : all sensors on the paper feed are working well, I used the SP 5803 (INPUT CHECK) to manage all these tests.

I've also checked if the problem was occuring with the transport belt each time in the same position : this is not the case.
I've seen a light fingerprint on the subscan encoder, i've cleaned it with water and soft clothe.
The MFP is still working well in A4 LEF... but the problem in A3 at the end of the paper is still here, and I've seen a little occurence of this problem on A4 SEF.

So I think you were right, the problem seems to be near the engine unit.
I will extract it & fully disassemble the transport belt & and proceed to a full cleaning.

I understand that's an old machine, but it is now used by a non profit association, I'm working for free, just to help.

Cheers

[luca72]

Re: Ricoh MPC1500 SP A3 SEF printing problem

FYI the MP C1500 is an inkjet print engine.

He speak about a laser printer.